By Sanjeev “Mahtma” Gupta
The public’s confidence in Eskom’s ability to ensure a reliable supply of electricity to the country is not being done any good by inconveniencing spells of loadshedding, allegedly questionable procurement deals, projects whose completion is way beyond schedule, and doubts about the leadership qualities of some people appointed in executive positions. This sad state of affairs has done a disservice to the country’s endeavour to attract foreign direct investment.
There is a development which has restored hope. After experimenting with a number of appointment which were perceived in some quarters as more qualified on account of their BEE status than capability, the generation impression is that Eskom Board’s choice of Brian Molefe, as new acting CEO of Eskom will turnaround Eskom’s fortunes and restore consumer confidence. His talismanic touch at Transnet is inspiring. Worth mentioning, he oversaw the train service operator transition from loss making into profitability.
In the main, the following are four crucial steps which Molefe should take:
- Hire the right people
Look beyond BEE and hire the right calibre of people regardless of race. It’s a national crisis, we are taking about and not some racial issue people are so fixated about. If it means hiring white old hands who worked in the 1990s, Molefe should not hesitate.
- . Revise procurement approach
We should not hear about billion rand tenders to supply generator being given to a close corporation with no questionable track record any more or R43 million paid for a breakfast to a newspaper. Only companies with good reputations should qualify.
- Finish Medupi and Kusile klaar
Will the Medupi and Kusile be postponed until Jesus comes? So Molefe should ensure that there are no excuses from contractors assigned about their failure to deliver, failing which a new team should be appointed.
- Destigmatise the BEE candidate tag
It is hard to pretend that, at least in the eyes, of cynics Molefe’s predecessors have been nothing more than people occupying their positions based on political connections. This, some have argued, is the main reason that Eskom fails even to do basic things right. Thus, it is upon Molefe to vindicate Eskom’s board’s confidence in him.
